FAQ
Have questions in mind? Please find below the most frequesntly asked questions about Vakkaru Maldives.
A message to our beloved guest: Resort update on travel during COVID READ MORE
As the world emerges from lockdown, and at a time when so many feel the need for a worry-free escape more than ever, rest assured that the team at Vakkaru Maldives take our commitment to truly supporting guests' wellbeing even further.
Please see below Frequently Asked Questions to help you to plan your stay at Vakkaru Maldives more seamlessly.
Vakkaru Maldives has officially reopened to welcome guests on 1 August 2020 with health and safety measures in place across guest contact touchpoints.
In reference to the announcement published by the Government of Maldives on 4 March 2022, effective 5 March 2022, the PCR test requirement has been revised as below:
It is also recommended that masks are worn if the guest exhibits any symptoms of Covid-19 and whilst using public transportation.
For further information regarding tourist arrival, please refer to the Maldives Immigration FAQ page here https://immigration.gov.mv/faq-for-visiting-the-maldives/
Guests arriving from another resort or island are no longer required to present a negative PCR test result upon arrival to Vakkaru. All arriving guests will no longer require rapid test upon arrival.
Guests arriving from another resort or island are no longer required to present a negative PCR test result upon arrival to Vakkaru. All arriving guests will no longer require rapid test upon arrival.
In accordance with the country’s health requirements, all travellers, including tourists, visa holders and Maldivians are obliged to submit the Traveller Health Declaration (THD) within 48 hours to the flight time.
Visit imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd/create and follow the instructions to fill up the Travellers Health Declaration Form.
On-arrival visas are still available for all tourists, and visa extensions are available for any long-stay holidaymakers. For your free 30-day on-arrival tourist visa, you have to provide:
From our reopening on 1 August 2020, guests can count on our team's commitment to 'Vakkare', a new standard in luxury hospitality, unmatched in the Maldives, that will place the concept of care at the core of all that Vakkaru Maldives offers. Comprising four pillars - We Kare, Self Kare, Let's Kare and After Kare - Vakkare creatively, considerately and comprehensively cares for the physical, social and emotional needs of our guests, ensuring a holiday experience to treasure forever.
We Kare signifies the resort team's dedication to sincerely investing in the wellbeing of its members and everyone who visits through reinforcing the elevated practices of safety, hygiene and sanitation.
Self Kare refers to the many restorative, wellness-minded experiences and services that will be available to every guest to nourish the mind, body and soul.
Let's Kare is inspired by that abundance of natural wonders around the island. The team at Vakkaru Maldives is continuously working towards making a meaningful and positive difference to the environment and communities on local islands.
After Kare is our wellness-centred loyalty programme providing guests with tips from visiting practitioners and the Vakkaru team, alongside a range of exclusive offers and special surprises so the sense of good health and happiness that Vakkaru Maldives provides is sustained long after their return home.
Find further details of all precautionary measures taken by the resort from pre-arrival until departure here
During these extraordinary times, Vakkaru Maldives is offering flexibility for all bookings made for stays before 22 December 2023 (Excluding 05-25 April, 23 December - 10 January) with free cancellation within 14 days prior to arrival and for website and direct bookings with 10 days prior to arrival.
Should there be any last-minute cancellations less than 14 days prior to arrival / 10 days prior to arrival (for Website and direct bookings), full payment charges will apply and resort will not offer a waiver for cancellation, no show or early departure.
In case any guests travelling have a positive Covid-19 test result within 10 days prior to arrival, we will extend a voucher of the invoiced amount for future stays valid for 12 months, subject to availability and rate variances.Please note that to proceed with the free cancellation, guest must present the valid document in English that confirms a positive PCR test result.
Guests may contact [email protected] for any inquiries related to their stays or future reservations.
As a special assistance to ensure we deliver effortless experience to our guests, Vakkaru Maldives provides testing services for guests who require COVID-19 test results to return to their countries of origin or another destination. Those guest will be required to undergo the PCR test at least 96-48hrs prior to their departure. The sample will be taken in the morning before breakfast by our resort doctor at the Resort’s Clinic and guests can expect the result at least 24 hours prior to departure. The PCR test is subject to a charge of US$150 net per person.
Tourists are allowed to visit a local island, as well as travel from one resort to another.
Here are some official sources by the Maldives authorities for updated information on the COVID-19 situation in the Maldives.
Latest COVID-19 updates: https://covid19.health.gov.mv/en/
FAQ for visiting the Maldives: https://immigration.gov.mv/faq-for-visiting-the-maldives/
The Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean between 7° 6′ 35″ and 0° 42′ 24″ south and between 72° 33′ 19″ and 73° 46′ 13″ east of Greenwich. It is a sovereign archipelagic nation positioned in the Indian Ocean, less than one-hour flight from Sri Lanka.
Vakkaru Maldives is located 68 Nautical Miles (NM) North of Male’. The resort arranges transfer from Velana International Airport via Seaplane or Domestic Flight. Seaplanes fly in daylight hours only and your transfer to the resort is a 30-minute flight north west of the airport. If you are arriving in the evening or simply prefer, you may choose a domestic flight to the local airport in Baa Atoll (Dharavandhoo), a journey of 20-minute followed by a 30-minute speedboat ride to the island.
The Maldives is a perfect destination year-round although there are two seasons, one between May and October when intermittent rain showers occur, followed by the less humid and drier season from November to April. A tropical serenity located on the equator, the Maldives enjoys a year-round idyllic climate with temperatures between 23°C and 32°C.
The Maldives is 5 hours ahead of the GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). However, on Vakkaru Island all timings are on Vakkaru time which is one hour ahead of Male’ time.
Vakkaru time is 6 hours ahead of GMT (same like Dhaka time) or one hour ahead of Male’ time. Vakkaru time is used on our island to offer our guests with the optimum daylight. Kindly note that your cell phone automatically will be on Male’ time if it is receiving the time via the network, hence it is suggested to change the time setting manually.
Male’ is the capital and the principal commercial centre. It is also the most populous island in the country with a population of 150,000 inhabitants.
Dhivehi is the National language spoken by Maldivians, but English is widely used in the country. In the resort, we have multi-cultural team, and there are team members who are fluent in Russian, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Thai and Indian.
The national currency is Rufiyaa (MRf) and bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 in addition to coins in the denominations of MRf 2, MRf 1 and 50 L. The resort accepts payments in US Dollar.
The resort accepts major credit cards including America Express, Visa, Master Card and Union Pay.
According to the resort’s policy, the unauthorized operation of mechanical devices that fly over or suspend from ground level (drones), is prohibited in the resort premises. No guest or resident shall permit or authorize such drone use, by any third party, without the prior written authorization from the Management.
Each guest can carry 20kg of checked-in luggage and 5kg of hand luggage. Any excess luggage is chargeable at 5 USD per kg per way excluding tax (subject to change without prior notice).